7 WONDERS: WINTER FESTIVALS

7 Wonders gives you the run down of the best winter festivals this season, perfect for skiing all day and partying all night.

Just because summer’s over, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on festival fun. All through winter, there’s a great choice of festivals happening across the UK and Europe, each making the coldest time of year also the coolest. Whether you’re solely in it for snow sports, are looking for some fresh après ski action or just want to party on piste, 7 Wonders is bringing you the best of this year’s winter festivals.

HORIZON FESTIVAL

Taking over Bansko ski resort in Bulgaria for its third year, Horizon festival combines skiing and partying in its own way. There’s 80 DJs and 30 hedonistic parties to choose from, all hosted in a multitude of unique venues, from secret mountain hotels to medieval banquet halls, pools and abandoned factories.

SNOWBOMBING

Head out to Mayrhofen, Austria for a week long whirlwind of world class DJs and bands, alongside some of the best skiing in Europe. By day, hit the piste, enjoy music on mountain-top stages and chill in the spa of the luxury hotel, then by night get ready for some white-hot parties at what some have called ‘the best show on snow’.

IBIZA ROCKS THE SNOW

Can’t wait until summer 2015 to hit Ibiza again? Then Ibiza Rocks the Snow is the winter festival for you. With a line-up including Clean Bandit, DJ EZ and Jackmaster, and club partners like Shorebitch, Seedy Sonics and Apex, you know this is going to be a week to remember.

SNOWBOXX

Taking over a town in the French alps for a week, Snowboxx promises a winter festival experience like no other. A week long snow escape, aside from partying and skiing, Snowboxx offers unique treats like outdoor pools, ice skating and the ‘retro olympics’ – vintage tunes and a piste-side BBQ. The lineup is still to be announced, but promises to be on top form.

THE BRITS

The Brits is great for hardcore ski and snowboarders, with a variety of ski championships going on, as well as an impressive après offering. With DJ Kommissar and Tony B on hand, plus more tbc, the music is as white-hot as the sport.

Set in Chamonix, in the French alps, Winter Sessions promises a two day boutique snow fuelled music festival with parties ‘til dawn, all in one of the most jaw dropping places in the world. The all star line-up of world class DJs and bands has a strong EDM bent, but with something for everyone to keep things interesting.

FREEZE FESTIVAL

While Freeze may be taking a year off for R&D, there’s no way a list of the best winter festivals would be complete without London’s own contribution. Coming back in 2015, Freeze takes over Clapham Common with snowboard championships and a giant main stage, bringing a bit of the alps to South London. In the mean time, check out ski season opening party Almost Ablaze at Bankside Vaults to get your season started with the best DJs with an après vibe.